Young playing strong defensively, too

Rookie Chris Young, who has hit nine home runs for the Diamondbacks since Aug. 14, is drawing a lot of attention for his hitting.

Already the owner of the franchise record for home runs by a rookie, Young also became the first NL rookie to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season.

But his defense shouldn't be overlooked, and teammate Orlando Hudson, a Gold Glove second baseman, said Young is just as good defensively, if not better, than he is offensively.

"Defensively, you can go ahead and put him in the same category as Vernon Wells, Mike Cameron, Ichiro (Suzuki), Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter," Hudson told the Arizona Republic. "You can put him in that category right now. Honest."

Road trip to Houston:When Troy Patton made his Major League debut for the Houston Astros on Saturday, the left-hander had plenty of support in the stands.

Patton attended Tomball High School, which is just outside of Houston, so it was easy for family to attend the game. However, some friends had to go out of their way to make it to Minute Maid Park.

"All my best friends came in from their colleges," Patton told the Houston Chronicle. "I had two from LSU, one from Tulane, and one flew from Virginia Tech. And they all found a way to get here.

"We went over to one of their houses, and the parents of a lot of the guys I grew up with, we went over to their house. It was a lot of fun. They were probably more excited than I was when I got called up. They were hoping it would happen. I told them, 'If you show up, you've got a ticket.' They all came and showed their support."

Patton allowed three runs and six hits in a 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

Cain aims for 200 innings: Matt Cain won his third consecutive start and helped extend the Giants' winning streak to six games with a 3-1 victory over the Rockies on Tuesday.

But after the game, Cain had his sights on another number. He leads the team with 171 1/3 innings and would like to reach the 200-inning mark for the season.

"It's a huge goal," Cain told the San Francisco Chronicle. "You always want to do that. It's a confidence-booster, something at the beginning of the year where you always say as a starting staff, 'Let's get to 200.' Usually, if you're at the 200-inning mark, or around it, it means you've been pitching well."

Cain has a 7-13 record, but that is a result of poor run support. The Giants scored three or more runs for him for just the 11th time in 27 starts Tuesday. He's enjoyed a hot August, going 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA in six starts this month. Cain credits his preparation for being able to pitch this well in the dog days.

"I'm not going to say it's some crazy workout," Cain said. "I just try to maintain between starts, stay in my routine and get ready for the next time."

Moseley provides early relief: The Mariners jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning Tuesday night, forcing Angels manager Mike Scioscia to go to his bullpen much earlier than usual.

Scioscia brought in Dustin Moseley with a runner on and one out in the bottom of the first. Moseley proceeded to pitch 5 1/3 scoreless innings, helping the Angels to a 10-6 comeback win over the team chasing them for first place in the American League West.

"You don't expect to be in the game that soon, but you've got to get ready on pure adrenaline," Moseley told the Los Angeles Times. "There's no time for stretching. You just have to get after it, get loose as soon as you can and see what happens."

Scioscia was thrilled with Moseley's performance and the team's win.

"Any time you're down 5-0 in the first inning and come back and win, it's big," Scioscia said. "With the caliber of their club and pitching staff, it's impressive the way we came back. It's still one game, but to have so many guys step up and contribute, it has to give you confidence."

Blake finds success this time: The situation doesn't present itself all that often. But when a player has a chance to start a triple play, he has to react.

That's where Indians third baseman Casey Blake found himself Monday night. With two on to start the seventh inning, Blake fielded a grounder by the Twins' Mike Redmond at the bag and third. He stepped on third, and threw to Asdrubal Cabrera at second, who threw to first to complete the triple play.

"You try to stay in the game, and when I was coming in toward the bag, you go for it," Blake told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "You almost visualize it. The last time like that, Jake [Westbrook] was on the mound, and I forgot to catch the ball, so it was bases loaded.

"We practice it. It's the last ball [bullpen coach] Luis Isaac hits during infield. Obviously it was a big boost for the team."

It was the first time the Indians had turned a triple play since Aug. 7, 1992 against the Orioles.

Wiffleball or Winter Haven for Dellucci: It's been a while since Indians outfielder David Dellucci has played -- almost 2 1/2 months, actually -- and as he recovers from a hamstring pull, he wants nothing more than to get back out on the field.

"'Believe me, I've thought about that every day," Dellucci told the Akron Beacon Journal. "I found out that under the rules I can do it, but it's up to my body. Obviously, they're not going to carry a guy who can't run."

That doesn't mean he won't play in a game soon, though. He's willing to do whatever it takes.

"I want to play in a game bad," he said. "Even if it's in the instructional league in Winter Haven. Just give me a bat and a pitcher. I'd play in the Westlake Wiffleball League."

Does that league exist?

"'If there isn't," he said, "I'll help start one."

Ludwick playing injury-free: St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick has come a long way. Once a top-flight prospect in Cleveland, Ludwick has overcome multiple major surgeries and is enjoying a breakout season in St. Louis.

Grady Fuson, now the vice president for scouting and player development in San Diego, has acquired Ludwick twice in his roles elsewhere and attempted to once more. He's enjoying watching Ludwick excel.

"I'm ecstatic for him, personally," Fuson told MLB.com, "because I've always been a big fan and I thought there was more in Ryan Ludwick at the big league level than had ever been seen before."

Ludwick, now 29, isn't bitter about the series of injuries that delayed his opportunity to shine -- a broken hip, a broken wrist and torn knee cartilage.

"That's part of the game," he said. "I have no complaints. I feel like everyone I've been with has treated me fair. I've never had anyone treat me unfairly. I just haven't been blessed with the best health. And they were all freaky things, running into people or running into things or getting hit by a pitch. It's just the way the cards fell."

200th save for Isringhausen: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Isringhausen recorded his 200th save as a member of the Cardinals last week, the 276th save of his career.

"It feels good. It means I've been here a while," Isringhausen told the Belleville News Democrat. "We've just got to keep building, keep winning games. We know what situation we're in, so I just get saves when I can. We've just got to get wins right now."

Isringhausen, who had five saves last week for the Cardinals, failed to save the game ball after the noteworthy save.

"It's all right," he said. "I've got a game ball and I'll get a little writing on it. No big deal. I like giving (the balls) to little people. They like it more than I do.

"I mean, 200 is a good number, but next year, hopefully wherever I'm at, I'll get 300 and we'll go from there."